Kent make hay before rain falls

Friday 17 September 2004 21.20 EDT
First published on Friday 17 September 2004 21.20 EDT

The rain that swirled around the country yesterday and swept into Canterbury at 3.15pm was pure Kentish rain, tightening the county's grip on second place in the championship against the rival hopes of Surrey, Middlesex and Sussex. Kent had already, in any case, taken a firm hold on the game.

The Middlesex players began to go through the motions in the morning, when Ed Smith and Rob Key were imperiously compiling a brisk stand which brought 255 runs in 49 overs. There was one stutter in this progress when they hesitated over a single and Smith, on 98, was almost run out by James Dalrymple's direct hit from midwicket.

Key had just gone to a ninth first-class century this season and after a poor start on Thursday evening he was in brutal form. A pull to despatch a Melvyn Betts attempted bouncer to the square-leg boundary was contemptuous in its ease, and he showed no fear when on the unlucky "Nelson" number of 111 by scooping Dalrymple's innocent off-break over midwicket.

His 157-ball innings ended with a sweep to Betts at square leg, by which time Smith was also in three figures. Alex Loudon soon went trying to drive Dalrymple, but Smith powered on. After lunch his 150 came up in 200 balls and by now Matthew Walker was keeping him jaunty company.

During lunch Walker had received both the award for Kent player of the year, voted for by the membership, and the fielding prize for taking most catches in all cricket. This tiny left-hander celebrated with one more half-century, in 75 balls, while Smith registered his highest score of the season, surpassing his 166 against Sussex in early August.

Middlesex had now lost interest, epitomised by Owais Shah at the start of the 90th over. Kent had just pocketed their fourth batting point and Shah began his over by deliberating chucking the ball as if giving Walker "throw-down" practice. The delivery was a harmless dot, and either the umpires failed to spot the illegality or they assumed it was just another toy being thrown from Shah's well-stocked pram.

As the partnership neared 150 Walker took two fours and a fine-leg six from a Nantie Hayward over, then, just before the rain arrived, Smith was lbw to the first ball of a Betts spell. When play resumed after two hours Kent knew that, with maximum bonus points already secured, a draw would confirm second place, and at stumps they were 238 ahead.